Making the Case: Oklahoma City Thunder
This trade only makes sense for the Oklahoma City Thunder if they’re absolutely in love with one prospect and are thoroughly convinced that the Orlando Magic would take him if they kept the No. 1 selection.
For example, if the Thunder desperately wanted to pair Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with Jabari Smith Jr.’s off-ball shooting prowess but had a notion that Orlando had Smith at the top of their big board as well.
In that case, giving up a late lottery pick in order to secure their No. 1 prospect is a small price to pay. If, however, like the rest of the world, OKC views the three forwards at the top of the draft — Smith Jr., Paolo Banchero, and Chet Holmgren — as relatively equal in talent and on the same tier, then it’d be a waste for them to spend an extra lottery pick just to grab someone they view as slightly better.
Making this deal would indicate that after a half-decade of tanking, General Manager Sam Presti has finally formed a vision for his team beyond just accumulating as many young players and draft picks as possible.
LATEST NBA DRAFT NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: OKC Thunder Could Trade Up From No. 12 Pick
Favoring one of the top prospects this heavily would suggest that Presti has a clear favorite who he’d like to see featured alongside SGA and Josh Giddey. If the Thunder plan to keep playing “Moneyball,” though, then this trade doesn’t fit that philosophy in the slightest.
